03/03/2014

Hyung

Hyung (Forms) are a prearranged series of
offensive and defensive techniques (blocks, strikes, and kicks) that
are performed in a specific pattern. Forms contain the foundation
of any particular art form. Some literature states that forms were
developed to ensure that the most effective methods of a particular
individual or style were not lost; and therefore the true meaning
and spirit of an art form can be found through the study and
understanding of its forms.

The prearranged set of techniques when
practiced diligently can support the development of:

More forceful and more effective kicks, blocks, and strikes

Stronger stances and positions
Stances are important in all aspects of the art form – basics,
forms, sparring and self-defense

More forceful and more effective sparring techniques

More forceful and more effective self-defense techniques

Endurance

Discipline

Coordination

Awareness of oneself and body

Effective breathing techniques

Ability to shift attention and focus from one place to another

Ability to deal with multiple opponents one after another

Intense focus

Understanding of the principles behind the art form

Understanding of the true meaning and spirit of the art form

Understanding energy and application of energy

The Han Moo Kwan Association Tae Kwon Do
classic forms follow a "life". The first five (known as the Kibon
series) reflect early youth; simply figuring out how to move, walk,
and learn about your body. The next set coincides with young adult;
quick, flashy, more oriented toward speed and flexibility. As one
moves into the upper-level forms, one finds them relating to the
wisdom of adult life; they teach force, energy, and intensity. The
last set (known as the Mepojan series) brings students to their
elder years, where movements are a bit more conservative, with a lot
more focus on energy.

Each form in and of itself also has challenges
and insights into Han Moo Kwan for students to discover. A key for
students is once they discover something in one form to apply that
discovery to all other forms. By constantly applying new
discoveries to all forms, the students will be constantly relearning
the forms and improving them.

The information
on forms provided on this website is meant to serve as basic
reference material. Its emphasis is to describe the mechanics
for each of the forms and assumes the techniques themselves (ex:
attack punch, low block, double knife-hand, hook punch, front kick,
crescent kick, etc.), have already been demonstrated. This
material is not meant to take the place of direct guidance under a
certified instructor.

The hyung
videos contained within this website reflect the forms as they would
be performed by a student after approximately 6 months of practice.
They are only intended as supplemental information, and not
comprehensive instructional guides.

The
orientation of the stances described in the Text References is based on
the previous stance. Directions are given in degrees either to the
left or to the right as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: Orientation to the Left in Degrees

Figure 2: Orientation to the Right in Degrees

The numbering
to the moves for each form is arbitrary.

For each form, strikes refer to an offensive arm or leg
technique attacking an opponent, blocks refer to a defensive arm or
leg technique deflecting an opponent’s attack, and guards refer to
an arm or leg position used to discourage an opponent’s attack. All
single arm techniques implicitly assume a
reciprocal action unless stated otherwise.

The following
convention is used in describing the techniques themselves for each
form: Stance, Direction, Technique.

For all turns,
it is assumed that direction of the turn (left/right) implicitly
indicates which foot performs the turn unless stated explicitly.

Kibon in
Korean means basic techniques.
The following five forms of the Kibon series are expected to be
demonstrated by all students who are testing at any rank. These five
forms familiarize beginning students with performing forms using the
basic techniques and stances. Each of these forms are executed in an
“I” pattern, which is shown in the figure below. Each of the five Kibon
forms are performed such that the combination of techniques is
symmetrical about the “I”. In addition, the turns are such that it
allows one to always glance the center of the “I”.

The goal of the
Kibon series is to teach beginner’s how to direct focus and energy in
with their physical movements. Moves are simple and the goal is to
focus on these movements. The Kibon series is a combination of
many of the
basic techniques and stances in Han Moo Kwan and no additional moves are included other than
what is taught in the basics.

Pyung Ahn series contains five
forms. This series is derived from a series developed by Anko Itosu, a
master of Okinawan Karate. The phrase "pyung ahn" is most often translated
as "well-balanced" and "peaceful". Another translation based on the
original Chinese characters is “Safe from Harm”. These forms are taught to
Intermediate students.

Shipsu
is expected to be demonstrated by students who are testing as a Brown Belt
or above. Shipsu is all about focused in-power. Shipsu can also been seen
in literature written as Ship Soo or Sip Soo. Its meaning is "Ten Hands”
(i.e., the weapon with the power of ten hands) and is similar to the karate
form Jitte, although there are differences. Its origin is most likely from
the Tomari-te school in Okinawa. This form supposedly represents the bear.

No Pe Hyung is expected
to be demonstrated by students who are testing as an Interim Black Belt or
above Belt. No Pe Hyung is a demonstration of power on wood. This form
appears to be derived from the Rohai forms practiced in some styles of
karate. The name Rohai translates approximately to "vision of a
Crane" or "vision of a
heron". The kata originated from the
Tomari-te school of
Okinawan martial arts. It was called Matsumora Rohai, after
Kosaku Matsumora, who was presumably its inventor.
Anko Itosu later took this kata and developed three kata from it: Rohai
shodan, Rohai nidan, and Rohai sandan. No Pe Hyung taught in Han Moo Kwan
most closely resembles Matsumora Rohai.

The Mepojan
series are taught to advanced students (Black Belt and above). In Tang Soo
Do, three similar forms to the Mepojan series are called the Naihanji Hyung.
The meaning is knight on a horse. In Okinawan Karate, these three forms are
called Naihanchi and in Japanese are called the Tekki kata, which mean
“horse riding saddle”. Mepojan forms are performed horizontally (side to
side) keeping the body level with the goal to minimize torso motion. It has
been postulated that the three Mepojan forms were once one long form and broken
into three distinct forms due to its length.

Mepojan One is expected to be demonstrated by students
who are testing as a First Degree Black Belt with a rank of 5.0 or above.
Mepojan Two is expected to be demonstrated by students who are testing as a
Second Degree Black Belt or above. Mepojan Three is expected to be
demonstrated by students who are testing as a Second Degree Black Belt or
above.

Currently, no additional information regarding these
three forms is available unless requested and provided by a certified Chief
Instructor of the Han Moo Kwan Association.

Note: Videos of the lower-level forms (above) are
to be considered the standard for the art form. They have been
carefully reviewed by the instructional staff, and certified for use as
training material. The following three videos are simply an example of
how the forms are typically performed, but have not been certified.